2023 WCSO Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 28
PURSUIT OF
EXCELLENCE
As an integral part of the Washington County public safety system, we
recognize our profound responsibility to the diverse communities we
are honored to serve. We continually evaluate policies and training and
implement changes in law while considering best practices, community
experience, and expectations. To maintain high standards, we pursue
community partnerships and accreditation by national and Oregonbased organizations known for establishing rigorous standards and
introducing valuable outside perspectives to law enforcement agencies.
These accreditations are not merely achievement certificates to hang on
the wall. They remind and inform us of our continuing commitment to be
accountable to the highest service standards for all Washington County
community members.
CALEA
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
awards accreditation to public safety organizations that comply with
rigorous national standards for increasing transparency and public
confidence. Since 2004, CALEA has recognized our commitment to
upholding the highest policing standards. CALEA has also honored
us with the Meritorious Award for more than 15 years of continuous
compliance.
Forensics
The Forensic Science Unit (FSU) is accredited to international standards,
having met the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 requirements for forensic inspection
with a scope in friction ridge and scene investigation. The American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
awards this accreditation based on an annual assessment of an agency’s
technical qualifications and competence for conducting inspection
activities within the scope. Accreditation is vital to the FSU as it ensures
forensic analysts and technicians maintain the highest professional
standards while remaining unbiased in their analyses and testimonies.
Accreditation enables the FSU to rely on best practices for processing
crime scenes and examining evidence while receiving ongoing training to
maintain credibility in the county, the scientific community, and the legal
system. Additionally, the unit supervisor and two forensic analysts hold
significant credentials as Certified Latent Print Examiners and Certified
Crime Scene Analysts. One forensic technician and one forensic analyst
are certified as Crime Scene Investigators. *Surveillance Video Retrieval is
not an accredited service.
Oregon Jail Standards
The Oregon State Sheriff’s Association (OSSA) establishes best practices
for jails that address everything from staff training to kitchen operations.
The 320 best-practice measurements, known as the Oregon Jail
Standards (OJS), are designed to raise the bar by improving management,
reducing liability, and creating consistency in the operation of all county
jails. The Washington County Jail has remained compliant with these
comprehensive standards since 2000.
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